West Coast Seeds
West Coast Seeds (Kentucky Wonder Brown Bean)
West Coast Seeds (Kentucky Wonder Brown Bean)
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Kentucky Wonder Brown is an heirloom developed in Kentucky before 1864. This is the brown-seeded strain of a very popular pole bean that is well-loved for its vigour and fine flavour. Expect large clusters of long, oval, 18-22cm (7-9") silvery-green pods. These are virtually stringless with a distinctive flavour. The vines are particularly tall, so provide adequate support for climbing. Kentucky Wonder Brown germinates well in cool soils, so they can be planted a little earlier than other pole bean seeds. These beans are well loved for fresh eating, but also because they freeze nicely for storage and winter use.
| Latin Name |
Phaseolus Vulgaris |
| Days to Sprout | 8-16 days |
| Days to Maturity | 70 days |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Exposure | Full-sun |
| Germination Rate | 75% |
| Usual Seed Life | 3 Years |
| Starting |
Seeds can be started indoors, or sowed directly. Set seeds 7-10cm (3-4″) apart and 3.5cm (1½”) deep at the base of a support. Plants will climb by twining around almost anything. Try rough poles, lumber, re-bar, or build a strong trellis 2-2.5m (6-8′) tall. Seeds will sprout in 8-16 days, depending on soil conditions. |
| Growing | Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Well drained, warm soil in full sun is best. Use 1 cup of balanced organic fertilizer for every 3m (10′) of row. Too much nitrogen in fertilizer or manure is often the cause of poor pod set and delayed maturity. If beans flower but do not set pods, the cause can be zinc deficiency. Try spraying the plants with kelp based fertilizer. Wet leaves on crowded plants are subject to diseases. Thin plants to increase air circulation and avoid touching the leaves while they are wet. |
Pole bean
Well-loved for vigour and fine flavour
Long, oval, silvery-green pods
Heirloom seeds
Can plant in cooler soils
Matures in 70 days
